38
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
+THIS YEAR, MOST OF THEM CLAIMED THEY WERE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE POOR STATE OF THE ECONOMY, PARTICULARLY IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE NORTH.+
MR THOMAS SAID THAT ACCORDING TO ASSESSMENT THERE WERE OTHER FACTORS AT WORK SUCH AS RUMOURS THAT THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO INTRODUCE STRICTER MEASURES TO CONTROL ILLEGAL DEPARTURES, RUMOURS THAT HARSH ECONOMIC MEASURES SUCH AS AN INCREASED LEVY ON EACH HARVEST AND DEVALUATION OF THE CURRENCY WOULD BE INTRODUCED. AND THE FACT THAT OCEAN-GOING BOATS IN SHORT SUPPLY WHICH ENCOURAGED COASTAL NAVIGATION FROM THE NORTH OF VIETNAM TO THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
+AS STATED IN THIS COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR ON JANUARY 8. INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF ARRIVALS WHO ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES TO VIETNAM IS A VIABLE OPTION, AS FAR AS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED, PROVIDED THAT GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM WOULD ACCEPT THEM AND PROVIDED WE COULD BE SATISFIED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE TREATED INHUMANELY ON THEIR RETURN.+
MR THOMAS ADDED THAT HONG KONG WAS STILL PURSUING THIS POSSIBILITY WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT.
TWO BILLS PASSED
***
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986 AND THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER'S BILL, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (DECLARATION OF SHAW COLLEGE) BILL 1986 WAS INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JULY 30.
139
Page 40Page 41